Published

TCM Classic Film Festival Celebrates ‘The Sound of Music’ & History According to Hollywood

Right now, on a humble red carpet in Hollywood, the 50th anniversary celebration of The Sound of Music has kicked off, featuring the immortal Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and many of the Von Trapp children all grown up in attendance. This exciting affair is a fitting and stirring opening to another year for the Turner Classic Movies’ Classic Film Festival, taking place at several historic film venues in Hollywood from March 26th through March 29th.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Egyptian Theatre will be programmed from 9 AM to midnight (or later) for each of the next three days and nights, all with the theme “History According to Hollywood.” From TCM’s press release:

The Old West. Medieval England. Ancient Rome. Hollywood has found endless inspiration in re-creating historical moments and bringing to life the heroes and villains of the past, creating a form of time travel for audiences through the ages and around the world. These films, however, are not always true to the historical record. Filmmakers have often created works about the past that are a reflection of the period in which they were made, or change facts to suit a particular storyline. The 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival will explore how cinema has shaped how we view – and remember – history.

TCM host Robert Osborne will utilize his hosting skills throughout the weekend, with fellow host Ben Mankiewicz introducing several events. There’s no shortage of greatness this year, including a taping of Live From The TCM Classic Film Festival spotlighting Sophia Loren at the Montalban Theatre on Saturday March 28th.

Naming highlights from the festival could end up being me simply listing EVERY movie, because these are all of my favorite things, but here’s what some choice goodies to get excited for:

The Sea Hawk (1940), 10 PM, Thursday March 26th: Errol Flynn’s daughter Rory talks about her father and this seminal film collaboration between the swashbuckling icon and director Michael Curtiz. She’ll also be publicizing her memoir The Baron of Mulholland: A Daughter Remembers Errol Flynn.

The French Connection (1971), 9:15 PM, Saturday: Director William Friedkin talks about the classic Gene Hackman vehicle, with Alec Baldwin again there to supply the funny.

Patton (1970), 9 AM, Sunday March 29th: Ron Perlman, yes Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy star, is gonna be there to chat about this 178 hour epic.

For a look at the entire schedule, go here. Seating is first-come, first-serve, with each block of time filled with at least three movies you want to see. It’s impossible to choose really.

If you’re in southern California, this is what you should be doing this weekend. If not for the movies, then by all means, do it for the drinks at the gathering point for the festival, the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. If you make the trip, you’ll likely see me, a sweaty tired wreck overdosing on celluloid. It’s going to be the best.

Over the next three days, I have 15 films on the docket. There’s almost no way I’ll see them all, but I will be writing an ongoing diary of my experiences on this very website. Stay tuned!